5. Les Maîtres de la possession

10.1163/9789004261433_007

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Chapter Summary

The story - not only that of Ben Yeffu, but also others - could be read as ad hoc commentary on political history of Morocco. Buya ʿOmar and Sidi Masʿūd ben Ḥsein share the same therapeutic specialty with Ben Yeffu; they are two great masters of possession. The myth explains, in short, the distribution of the therapeutic gift between different sanctuaries specialized in the treatment of djinnesque diseases. The indirect mythical, confrontation among the three saints testifies another, real and current one, among the three sanctuaries and their hierarchy on a national scale. The metaphors of belligerency, ignition, flogging, trial and incarceration give an idea of the scope of the aggressive exorcism. In the context of Ben Yeffu, the integration function is more of a symbolic mediation. The original text of the chapter is in French.